[chevydmax04]

I have two hives out that have last falls extracted frames in them so the bee's have something to eat till the bloom starts. I was poklng around in them today and I noticed some black bee's. I know the Russian bee's can be black, can some one identify this one for me?

Thanks
Steve

http://picasaweb.google.com/chevydmax04/BeeS#5459069358021333090
http://picasaweb.google.com/chevydmax04/BeeS#5459069360894296946

 

[tedw200]

it is a Bee!

 

[chevydmax04]

can you tell what kind?

 

[EastSideBuzz]

Dark bee. Could be one that joined from another hive. Could be a russian or just a dark bee.

 

[chevydmax04]

That is an unoccupied hive, it has frames that were extracted last fall, I stuck 40 extracted frames out in boxes for my other hives to clean up and rob, rather than feeding syrup or sugar. They have packed away a ton of honey!

As for the dark bee, there were several of them robbing from that box, hopefully a wild colony somewhere close. And if they swarm hopefully they remember my address.

 

[EastSideBuzz]

As for the dark bee, there were several of them robbing from that box, hopefully a wild colony somewhere close. And if they swarm hopefully they remember my address.

Make a swarm catcher and bait it to catch them. http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=238983&page=3

 

[chevydmax04]

I was planning on leaving a deep or two out with some drawn frames to act as swarm catchers.

 

[Fishdude123]

I believe that all bees are that color when you remove all their hair. If you notice the robbers tend to all be darker and when you look closely it is due to the fact that they have had their hair pulled off by other bees trying to stop them. (At least that is what I read here last year. )

 

[chevydmax04]

I have never heard that before, but it would stand to reason.

 

[hollimer]

I believe that all bees are that color when you remove all their hair. If you notice the robbers tend to all be darker and when you look closely it is due to the fact that they have had their hair pulled off by other bees trying to stop them. (At least that is what I read here last year. )

Making them into stealthy, streamlined, ninja bees!

 

[NasalSponge]

Since a queen mates with multiple drones she can produce offspring in a wide array of colors. I have one who's daughters range from very light to near black.

 

[honeyman46408]

Yes